Obesity is a medical condition in which excess percentage body fat events has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems. In Western countries, people are considered obese when their body mass index (BMI), a measurement obtained by dividing a person's weight by the square of the person's height, exceeds 30 kg/m2, with the range 25-30 kg/m2 defined as overweight. In earlier historical periods obesity was rare, and achievable only by small elite, although already recognized as a problem for health. But as prosperity increased in the Early Modern period, it affected increasingly larger groups of the population. In 1997 the WHO formally recognized obesity as a global epidemic. As of 2008 the WHO estimates that at least 500 million adults (greater than 10%) are obese, with higher rates among women than men. The rate of obesity also increases with age at least up to 50 or 60 years old and severe obesity in the United States, Australia, and Canada is increasing faster than the overall rate of obesity.

Once considered a problem only of high-income countries, obesity (Events) rates are raising worldwide and affecting both the developed and developing world. These increases have been felt most dramatically in urban settings. The only remaining region of the world where obesity is not common is sub-Saharan Africa. Obesity is a complex disease resulting from the interactions of a wide variety of hereditary and environmental factors. The combined progress in quantitative genetics, genomics and bioinformatics has contributed to a better understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of obesity.

Obesity has always existed in human populations, but until very recently was comparatively rare. The availability of abundant, energy-rich processed foods in the last few decades has, however, resulted in a sharp rise in the prevalence of obesity in westernized countries. Familiar resemblance in Obesity phenotypes is caused not only by genetic factors but also by the environmental factors associated with the lifestyle and the culture. Body Mass Index (BMI) is most frequently studied measure of fatness. Heritability of trait can be estimated by modeling interfamilial correlations for different types of relatives. Polymorphisms in various genes controlling appetite and metabolism predispose to obesity under certain dietary conditions. The percentage of obesity that can be attributed to genetics varies widely, depending on the population examined, from 6% to 85%.

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. People who are obese have more fat tissue that can produce hormones, such as insulin or estrogen, which may cause cancer cells to grow. Many studies have shown that overweight and obesity are associated with a modest increase in risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. This higher risk is seen mainly in women who have never used menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and for tumors that express both estrogen and progesterone receptors. Stronger evidence comes from studies of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery to lose weight. Obese people who have bariatric surgery appear to have lower rates of obesity-related cancers than obese people who did not have bariatric surgery.

Excessive body weight is associated with various diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, obstructive sleep apnea, certain types of cancers, osteoarthritis and asthma. Obesity increases the risk of many physical and mental conditions. These comorbidities are most commonly shown in metabolic syndrome, a combination of medical disorders which includes: diabetes mellitus type 2, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels conferences. As your body mass index rises, so does your risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Being overweight or obese can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture, causing a blood clot to form. Diabetes is a disease in which the body's blood glucose, or blood sugar, level is too high. Normally, the body breaks down food into glucose and then carries it to cells throughout the body. The cells use a hormone called insulin to turn the glucose into energy.

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It is part of an ongoing lifestyle that you can adopt now and stay with for years to come. A combination of more physical activity and a suitable nutrient rich but energy controlled diet is recommended for overweight/obese adults who wish to lose weight. Regular physical activity reduces the risk for many diseases, helps control weight, and strengthens muscles, bones, and joints. CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity meetings (DNPAO) utilizes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. The scope of DNPAO activities includes leadership, policy and guidelines development, surveillance, epidemiological and behavioral research, intervention development, technical assistance to states and communities, training and education, communication, and partnership development. Maintaining activity throughout life is important for preventing obesity, and increasing a person’s physical activity level is an important element in any weight loss plan.

Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) includes a variety of procedures performed on people who have obesity. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) or by resecting and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouches (gastric bypass surgery). For obese patients, surgical intervention is an option and is frequently the treatment of choice. Non-surgical liposuction techniques use laser energy, radiofrequency, ultrasound or cold (cryolipolysis) to reduce fat. Although fat loss is more subtle with non-surgical lipolysis techniques compared to surgical liposuction, non-surgical lipolysis techniques have several advantages including reduced risk, reduced cost, and reduced healing time. Plastic surgery can play a very important part relative to massive weight loss. It is already well known that fat pads can be removed either by aesthetic or plastic surgery. More recently, surgeons have been exploring methods of plastic reconstruction after massive weight-loss, such as that obtained after digestive surgery. Bariatric surgeons should be aware that some of their patients will need heavy and painful reconstructive procedures. After common plastic surgery procedures, obese patients have more complications and make more hospital visits-leading to higher healthcare costs.

Endocrinology is a branch of biology and medicine dealing with the endocrine system, its diseases, and its specific secretions known as hormones. It is also concerned with the integration of developmental events proliferation, growth, and differentiation, and the psychological or behavioral activities of metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sleep, digestion, respiration, excretion, mood and sensory perception caused by hormones. A neuroendocrine signal is a "classical" hormone that is released into the blood by a neurosecretory neuron. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. Obesity is highly associated with various endocrine abnormalities that are characterized by hormonal imbalance and/or resistance. Weight reduction generally normalizes these endocrine alterations, implicating obesity as a direct cause.

Track 7-1Endocrine and metabolic diseases public health and prevention

Being obese during pregnancy can have a major impact on your health and your baby's health. Find out about the possible complications, recommendations for weight gain and what you can do to promote a healthy pregnancy. Being obese can harm your fertility by inhibiting normal ovulation. Obesity can also affect the outcome of in vitro fertilization (IVF). As a woman's BMI increases, so does the risk of unsuccessful IVF. Women who are obese are more likely to have diabetes that develops during pregnancy (gestational diabetes) than are women who have a normal weight. Women who are obese during pregnancy are at increased risk of urinary tract infections. Obesity also increases the risk of postpartum infection, whether the baby is delivered vaginally or by C-section.

Most weight-loss medicines for obesity work by making you feel less hungry or making you feel full sooner. They are used together with healthy eating habits and exercise. Medicine is generally used only for those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. But they sometimes are used for those with a BMI of 27 or higher who are at risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Orlistat (Alli) is also available over the counter. Alli contains half of the medicine that is in Xenical. Over-the-counter orlistat is not meant for use by anyone under the age of 18.

Liposuction is an invasive procedure used to improve body contour by removing areas of fat they’ve been resistant to diet and exercise. It's important to note that lipo is not intended to significantly reduce weight, cellulite, or sagging skin. Hundreds of fat diets, weight-loss programs and outright scams promise quick and easy weight loss. However, the foundation of successful weight management remains a healthy, calorie-controlled diet combined with exercise. For successful, long-term weight loss, you must make permanent changes in your lifestyle and health habits. Overweight and obesity affects more than 66% of the adult population and is associated with a variety of chronic diseases. Weight reduction reduces health risks associated with chronic diseases and is therefore encouraged by major health agencies. Incorporating more physical activity into a weight loss plan can maximize fat cells congress, preserve lean tissue, improve fitness and offer other health benefits. Being physically active can help prevent cardiovascular disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.

Weight management is a long-term approach to a healthy lifestyle. It includes a balance of healthy eating and physical exercise to equate energy expenditure and energy intake. Treatments for obesity range from healthy eating and exercise, to prescription medicine and surgery. FDA-regulated medical devices have also played a role in treating obesity. Currently, there are three FDA-approved devices on the market designed to treat obesity: Lap-Band Gastric Banding System, Realize Gastric Band, and The Maestro Rechargable System. When assessing popular diets, it’s important to understand that a person’s food preferences, lifestyle and medical conditions should be taken into account when choosing the correct diet. Also “dieting” needs to be a lifestyle change and can’t just be for a short term amount of time. Along with diet, exercise, and behavior modification, drug therapy may be a helpful component of treatment for patients who are overweight or obese. The role of drug therapy has been questioned, however, because of concerns about efficacy, safety, and the observation that body fat conferences slows and then plateaus with continued treatment, and most patients regain weight when their weight-loss drugs are stopped. Anti-obesity drugs events can be useful adjuncts to diet and exercise for adults with obesity and a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2, who have failed to achieve weight loss goals through diet and exercise alone.

Track 11-1Weight management and behavior theories

Track 11-2Body mass index measurements in men and women

Track 11-3Use of nanotechnology to alter the structure of different foods

Society views obesity very negatively and tends to believe that people who are obese are “weak-willed” and “unmotivated”. Obese individuals are often aware of these negative views, and internalize them, putting themselves at risk for disorders of mood, anxiety, and substance abuse. They perceive interpersonal and work-related discrimination, often suffer from low self-esteem as a result, and feel uncomfortable with their bodies (i.e. body image dissatisfaction). These feelings may lead to strain on their intimate and romantic relationships. 20-70% of obese individuals considering bariatric surgery suffer from a current and/or past psychiatric disorder, of which Major Depressive Disorder is the most prominent. Obese individuals have typically made multiple attempts to lose weight, with little or no success. Their failed attempts result in discouragement, frustration, hopelessness, and learned helplessness about the prospect of losing weight in the future on their own. The dietary fiber conferences and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.

To prevent obesity and maintain a healthy body weight, eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly. Preventing obesity is important. Once fat cells form, they remain in your body forever. Although you can reduce the size of fat cells, you cannot get rid of them. To effectively lose weight, most people need to do moderate intensity exercise for 60 minutes most days of the week. Add more activity during the day. Take the stairs and get up often from your desk or sofa. Law has played a critical role in the control of chronic diseases and the behaviors that lead to them. The use of a systematic legal framework—the use of legislation, regulation, and policy to address the multiple factors that contribute to obesogenic environments—can assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of legal approaches for obesity prevention and control.

Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed for various reasons, including strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance, and merely enjoyment. Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system and helps prevent the "diseases of affluence" such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

The Art of Living Yoga is a holistic way of life that integrates all elements of ancient knowledge of Yoga, to make a prayerful discipline uniting the body, mind and soul. Along with the series of simple, yet effective yoga postures and breathing techniques, a greater emphasis is placed on the inner experience of meditation, for the well-being of mind and other hidden elements of human existence. We believe when one is in harmony within, the journey through life becomes calmer, happier and more fulfilled.

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